Broadcasting from his home on Thursday's Watch What Happens Live, Cohen, 51, recounted to viewers his recent rejection from a programme for coronavirus survivors, who have produced antibodies to counteract the virus, that organises plasma donations to help treat individuals suffering from the virus.

Cohen was not allowed to donate due to the FDA's restrictions on blood and plasma donations from gay men, a policy implemented in the 1980s during the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

"This virus is ravaging our planet. The FDA says there is an urgent need for plasma from survivors. All donated blood is screened for HIV, and a rapid HIV test can be done in 20 minutes or less," Cohen said. "Why are members of my community being excluded from helping out when so many people are sick and dying? Maybe because we're valuing stigma over science... My blood could save a life but instead it's over here boiling."

Andy Cohen slams the FDA for barring him from donating blood after recovering from coronavirus. (YouTube)

On April 2, the FDA lowered its deferral period on men who have had sex with men from 12 months to three months. GLAAD has continued to campaign to urge the FDA to lift restrictions entirely, launching a petition that is now approaching 25,000 signatures.

Andy Cohen (left) shared his outrage on his show Watch What Happens Live about not being allowed to donate blood for three months because he identifies as gay. (YouTube)

"This antiquated ban is not only discriminatory, but has been debunked by leading medical organisations for years," the petition reads. "The American Public Health Association has argued that the current ban 'is not based in science but appears to be modelled after other countries' choices and fears.' The American Red Cross has also spoken out against the ban, noting that 'blood donation eligibility should not be determined by methods that are based upon sexual orientation.'"

GLAAD thanked Cohen for speaking out against the ban after his speech last night.

"Thank you @Andy for speaking out against the ban that prevents gay and bi men and others in the LGBTQ community from donating blood and plasma," they tweeted.

Coronavirus: What you need to know

How is coronavirus transmitted?

The human coronavirus is only spread from someone infected with COVID-19 to another. This occurs through close contact with an infected person through contaminated droplets spread by coughing or sneezing, or by contact with contaminated hands or surfaces.

What are the symptoms of someone infected with coronavirus?

Coronavirus patients may experience flu like symptoms such as a fever, cough, runny nose, or shortness of breath. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia with severe acute respiratory distress.

What is the difference between COVID-19 and the flu?

The symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu are very similar, as they both can cause fever and respiratory issues.

Both infections are also transmitted the same way, via coughing or sneezing, or by contact with hands, surfaces or objects contaminated with the virus.

The speed of transmission and the severity of the infection are the key differences between COVID-19 and the flu.

The time from infection to the appearance of symptoms is typically shorter with the flu. However, there are higher proportions of severe and critical COVID-19 infections.